filtering a nano-reef

Cory Keeper

Cory Keeper

LED Guru of Aquaria Central
Aug 7, 2007
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Stupid newb question here. As some of you are aware, I'm planning a 14g nano cube measuring 15"x15"x15". A true cube :evil_lol: . I know with nano reefs that skimmers are "debatable" and have no wish to open that can of worms. I also understand that my filtration is in the LR. However, that still doesn't stop me from asking, would running a canister filter with just sponges (like a C-160) and cleaning once a week be a good idea or no. I know that canisters can become nitrate factorys but is that risk eliminated from regular cleanings?

Oh, on other question, I'm building the tank myself so what would be a good size for the glass without going overkill?

Current plans.
14g nano-reef cube
15-20lbs of LR
2 Koralia Nano powerheads
1 100w Stealth heater
21 LED array with a mix of Royal Blue, Blue and 6700K (supposedly, I think its higer) LEDs.

I'm tempted to start the construction on the tank, then from there get parts slowly (already have the heater) untill its complete.
 
1/4" glass is good up to 18" depths, so that should be fine for your purposes.

I would do 50% weekly water changes rather than a skimmer on a tank that size, although if you are going to do SPS at some point you may want to work one into the plans anyway. I would skip the canister, mostly because I just don't like cleaning them out that often, I get lazy about it. If you are going to do a good cleaning of the sponges every week, it might work, but I'm not sure how necessary or functional it would be.
 
A canister incorporating one or more types of chemical filtration media would be a good idea, in addition to weekly water changes to keep water quality at an optimum.
 
I don't know the price of the canister you've mentioned, but I'd run a simple media reactor with phosphate remover and/or carbon instead of a full canister. You could just as easily add either or both of those media to a canister, if you'd prefer to stick with a canister filter.
 
I agree that a media reactor would be a better route.

No, I actually completely missed the LED part. Unless you've measured the amount of useful light (PAR), then I would shy from using the LED array and look toward a small metal halide fixture or pendant.
 
21 of the high powered LEDs like Luxeons or Rebels will probably be enough for at least zoas, softies, maybe LPS...its basically half of a 2' Solaris array, over a 15x15" footprint. It would be interesting to get a PAR meter under it after its built though.
 
I would love to be proved wrong.. really.. I love LEDs and think someday they will be the choice of lighting, but I think even the best of the best, the I series Solaris, isn't quite there yet... close, but MH is still a much better option today. Softies I don't doubt, but getting onto duncans and frogspawns may prove to be too much for that lighting. We will see though, I definately enourage Cory Keeper to build that light to show us what it can do. :)
 
Actually ace, take a look at my 29g build thread, I havn't updated in a while, but plants are going wild :D .

Regarding how many, the I-14 uses 30, so its gonna be up there. I may look at adding some more, It wouldn't be too much trouble, just solder them in.
 
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